Hand-stamp



. UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE MCOLEMENT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HAN D-STAM P.

Specitication forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,315, dated April 278, 1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE MGCLEMENT, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Stamps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this speciticatiomin which- Figure l is a vertical diametrical section through the stamp. Fig. 2 is a view of the face ofthe stamp. Fig. 3 is a top view of the stamp-box with the movable bed removed.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the three figures.

This invention is an improvement on handstamps for printing, wherein movable types are used, and in connection with which it is frequently found necessary, from time to time, to change the types in the stamp-box and introduce others in their stead.

The nature of my invention consists, rst, in a handstamp, which combines means for permanently adjusting the movable type in a longitudinal and a lateral direction, and when such adjustments are made such means will hold the type in the box, and also the box itself in a firm and operative condition.

My invention also consists in the combination of a hand-stamp handle, which constitutes a movable bed and a device which establishes the movable bed and the type in the proper position.

My invention consists, third, in the combination of a movable handle-loed and a typebox adapted for two or more rows of type, and with a typeadjusting screw or its equivalent.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

In hand-stamps provision should be made for adaptingmovable types of different lengths to the type-holding box. So, also, should provision be made for adapting different thicknesses of rows of type thus used. l here allude to the use of common single-letter type. The necessity for such provision is that when it is desired to introduce other types than those which are made especially to it into the box such common types may be introduced and be supported by the bed without cutting The drawings represent my stamp arranged for use in postoftices for canceling letterstamps, &c.

A is the handle of the stamp, which is usually made of wood or other similar material. b is a metal ferrule, which is tted tightly 0n the lower or reduced end of the handle, and

which has a tlat surface on its end, against which the types abut when placed in the metal box B, as shown in Fig. 1 ot' the drawings. The ferrule b has screw-threads cut on its circumference, which iit into a female screw that is tapped in the box B. This box can thus be screwed on the ferrule. The lower part of the box B is solid, as shown at a, Fig. l, and on the bottom or face of this solid part the xed letters are engraved, as shown in Fig. 2, leaving a space for receiving the movable types a'. These movable types are set up in a space which is cut through the solid portion a of the type-box, and being properly spaced a thumb-screw, c, is used to tix them in their places laterally. The thumb-screw dis tapped through the upper part of the box B, and is used for fixing the movable bed or ferrule in any desired position with reference to the length of the types which it is required to use.

The entire box B may be cast in one piece, if desirable, leaving the chamber above the solid portion a, and also the opening through a for receiving the types. The box can then be. inished and tapped for receiving the movable bed and thumb-screws.

From this description it will be seen that types of any ordinary length may be used in the hand-stamps, and that the movable bed b can be adjusted and adapted to any length of types, and that the types will have a firm bed, and this bed can be iixed rigidly to the box B by means of the screw d, as above described. It will also be seen that by using the adjustable bed, when the face of the stamp or fixed type wears out, it can be recut, and the same movable type used. Then, again, in putting types in the stamp they can be all nicely adjusted by means of the movable bed, and their surfaces brought to a level with the surface of the fixed type. The bed is now fixed in its place by setting up the screw d, and the types are then locked up by means of the screw o, and the stamp is ready for use.

I have shown the screw-threaded ferrule b and the female screw of the box B to be of a considerable depth. This is in order to give a rmness to the stamp at the `junction of handle-bed and type-box. The screw-thread mi ghtterminate some distance below the screw d, and thus a plain surface for the screw d to bind upon be left, but as the screw b is made `of steel and very slight strain comes upon the screw d it is better to have the parts con-l structed as shown, because a better hold to prevent turning of the handle is afforded.

I do not claim a handle with a screw-thread cut round its lower end and screwed into a type'box irrespective of my improvement; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the type-box, constructed substantially as described, handlebed A, and adjusting and holding devices c and d, all in the manner and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of screw-threaded han- (lle-bed A b, type-box B et, and screw d, or its equivalent, in the manner and for the purpose described.

GEO. MGCLEMENT. Witnesses: WILLIAM SMITH, J AMES MGGALUN. 

